Biosecurity Queensland, a service of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is the government's lead agency for animal welfare activities in Queensland. They develop, monitor and enforce animal welfare policy, legislation and standards, and educate the community about animal welfare.

In accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2014, those in charge of animals are responsible for managing biosecurity risks associated with the keeping and moving of these animals.

The maximum penalty for an individual convicted of failure to comply with the legislation is 300 penalty units ($126.15 per unit at 1 July 2017) or 1 year imprisonment. The penalty for cruelty offences is up to 2,000 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment.